Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation

When fed an adequate diet, box turtles require minimal supplementation. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to monitor the calcium, vitamin, and mineral intake of these animals. To assure adequate nutrient intake, lightly sprinkle your turtle's food with a powdered reptile calcium and

vitamin/mineral supplement once every other day for.

small animals, and twice a week for mature animals. Coat live foods, such as crickets and mealworms, with a supplement before feeding. Simply put them in a bag with some vitamin/calcium supplement and shake. Do not neglect this aspect of feeding your box turtles. Calcium deficiency is a common cause of death and deformity in many captive turtles, particularly among hatchlings and young animals.

Color Fading and Diet

Many wild-collected box turtles lose a great deal of their bright coloration within their first year in captivity. The fading is usually due to a diet lacking in certain plant pigments. It is important to feed your box turtle a varied diet with plant matter rich in yellow and red plant pigments. Supplement your turtle's diet with small amounts ofbetacarotene to help maintain its red coloration.

Water

Provide water in a large, shallow water pan that the turtles can easily enter and leave. The pan should be large enough for the turtle to sit in, and the water depth should be no more than one-third the height of the turtle's body. Change the water regularly and whenever it is soiled. Keep the pan clean and regularly disinfect it with a 5 percent bleach solution. Place newly acquired box turtles in a pan with ¼ to ½ inch of water for fifteen minutes each day for at least a week so that they may rehydrate.

Quick Tip

Daily misting of box turtles raises air humidity and may stimulate a turtle's feeding.